Pages

A juvenile court judge has refused to honour a request by the Child Protection Council to place a 17-week-old foetus under supervision, Dutch daily AD reports. The council was seeking protection for an 18-year-old unwed mother against a potential honour killing by her family.

Only unborn children older than 24 weeks are granted legal rights like protection under Dutch law , the court ruled. The mother’s identity has not been revealed.

While she was still a minor, Youth Welfare had her stay at a secret location. On turning 18, however, she moved close to her parents, saying she had nothing to fear.

The Council, however, insists she is at risk: “The family will do anything to stop the pregnancy. If she refuses to abort the baby, the family will not shrink from kicking her in the belly, mistreating her or even stabbing her.”